Aespa's Comeback Delayed: The Inside Story of SM Entertainment's Internal Feud

K-pop group aespa's comeback was delayed because of a feud between co-CEOs of SM Entertainment and the company's founder, Lee Soo Man. According to co-CEO Lee Sung Soo, Lee Soo Man ordered the group's new song lyrics to include references to "tree planting" and "sustainability," which did not fit in with aespa's metaverse storyline. Aespa members reportedly cried upon hearing that their new song would be scrapped and their comeback delayed. Korean netizens expressed sympathy for the group, with some criticizing Lee Soo Man for using the artists as tools and being greedy.




The K-pop industry has been abuzz with news of an internal feud between the co-CEOs of SM Entertainment, Lee Sung Soo and Tak Young Jun, and the company's founder, Lee Soo Man. This conflict has had a direct impact on one of the label's newest groups, aespa, who reportedly suffered a delayed comeback and a canceled new song due to the feud. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the background of this feud, its impact on aespa, and the criticisms of Lee Soo Man's management style.



Inside the Feud between SM Entertainment's Co-CEOs and Founder Lee Soo Man over Business Plans and Shares


SM Entertainment is one of the largest and most successful entertainment companies in South Korea, responsible for launching the careers of numerous K-pop superstars. In 2020, the company announced its new business plan, dubbed SM 3.0, which aimed to focus on a variety of businesses beyond just music production. However, this plan appears to have caused a rift between the co-CEOs and Lee Soo Man, who reportedly felt that the plan was not in line with his vision for the company.




In addition, Lee Soo Man took legal action against SM Entertainment in late 2021, claiming that the company was illegally issuing new shares to Kakao, a major South Korean technology company, which would make it the second largest shareholder in SM Entertainment. This legal battle has contributed to the ongoing feud between Lee Soo Man and the co-CEOs.




Moreover, Lee Soo Man's decision to sell 14.8% of his shares to HYBE, the parent company of BTS's label, Big Hit Music, came as a surprise to many in the industry. Some have speculated that this move was a response to the ongoing feud and may have significant implications for the future of SM Entertainment.




This backdrop of conflict has had a tangible impact on the activities of the company and its artists, including aespa.


The group's comeback, originally scheduled for February 20, was delayed due to issues that have now been attributed to Lee Soo Man. Co-CEO Lee Sung Soo revealed that during the production process, Lee Soo Man ordered the group's A&R team to change the lyrics of the new song to include references to "tree planting" and "sustainability", despite these themes not fitting in with aespa's metaverse storyline.



The A&R team and Yoo Young Jin, a well-known producer, and songwriter, attempted to include the requested lyrics, but the end result was reportedly not up to aespa's standards. Ultimately, the decision was made to cancel the group's comeback altogether. Co-CEO Lee Sung Soo claimed that aespa members were so upset by the news that they shed tears.



Korean netizens have expressed sympathy for aespa and other SM Entertainment artists who have been caught up in the ongoing feud. Many commenters have expressed disappointment that aespa's comeback was canceled, and have criticized Lee Soo Man for being overly focused on his own vision for the company, rather than the needs and desires of the artists themselves.







Some commenters have also expressed concern that SM Entertainment's other artists, including EXO and Red Velvet, may also be affected by the ongoing conflict. It remains to be seen how this feud will ultimately play out and what the long-term impact will be on SM Entertainment and its artists.


Lee Soo Man's Management Style: Impact on SM Entertainment & Artists"


Lee Soo Man's management style has been criticized in the past, with some accusing him of being too controlling and prioritizing profits over the well-being of his artists. The recent feud between him and the co-CEOs of SM Entertainment has shed light on some of the negative consequences of his actions.



In particular, aespa's delayed comeback and the cancellation of their new song have sparked criticism of Lee Soo Man's decision-making. Many fans and netizens have expressed sympathy for the group, noting that they are a rookie group that has not had many comebacks yet.



Some have also pointed out that the group's metaverse concept was not well-suited to the themes of sustainability and tree planting that Lee Soo Man reportedly wanted to include in their new song. This has led to criticism of the founder for prioritizing his own vision over the artistic integrity of the group and their concept.


Overall, the feud between Lee Soo Man and the co-CEOs of SM Entertainment has raised questions about the management of K-pop companies and the impact that decisions made by top executives can have on their artists.


Feud between SM Entertainment co-CEOs and founder: Impact on aespa and the Future of the Company



In conclusion, the feud between Lee Soo Man and the co-CEOs of SM Entertainment has had a significant impact on the company and its artists, particularly on the rookie group aespa. The cancellation of their new song and delayed comeback has been a source of disappointment for fans and have shed light on some of the negative consequences of Lee Soo Man's management style.



Looking to the future, it remains to be seen how SM Entertainment will move forward in light of this feud. The departure of Lee Soo Man as a major shareholder may lead to changes in the company's direction and management style, and could potentially lead to a greater focus on artist well-being and creative freedom.



However, there are also concerns about the long-term impact of this feud on the company and its artists. Some worry that it could lead to a loss of faith from investors and fans, and could ultimately hurt the company's bottom line.



Only time will tell how SM Entertainment and its artists will fare in the wake of this internal struggle, but for now, many are hoping for a more positive future for the company and its talented roster of artists.



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